Cat troubles

Retox

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this. We have two cats, a mother(Gizmo) and daughter(The Future). Normally they get along pretty well, some occasional fighting but nothing serious. Two days ago we gave Gizmo a bath (she smelled pretty bad). She obviously wasn't thrilled with the process, but we got through it with minimal scratching. However, as soon as we let Gizmo out of the bathroom afterwards The Future flipped shit and started hissing/growling at Gizmo and doing the whole puff up/arch her back thing cats do when they're super pissed. Normally The Future is a really relaxed cat and will tolerate pretty much anything, so this is way out of character for her. It's been two days now and The Future still hisses and generally freaks out any time Gizmo comes near her. This seems like really weird behavior and I'm wondering if anyone else has seen this with their cats and has any advice.

TLDR: Washed one cat, now the other cat hates her. Thoughts?

GnomeTank

Interesting. Only thing I can think of is that washing the mother cat screwed up her scent to the daughter, and since cats (like dogs) recognize via scent, it's messing with her?

That's completely conjecture, no idea if it's the case. Just seems logical since it accompanied a bath, and the behavior of the younger cat is very strange.

CelestialBadger

Maybe rub the clean cat with the angry cat's blanket to restore a familiar scent?

Junpei

They should return to normal after a few days, Gizmo simply smells different right now but after a few days of washing herself she'll be back to her fairly normal scent and The Future should simmer down, this can take like 4-5 days sometimes longer if she is an infrequent washer..

Your other option is to wash The Future but this could backfire since cats can be silly funny about this stuff.

admanb

Junpei wrote: »

They should return to normal after a few days, Gizmo simply smells different right now but after a few days of washing herself she'll be back to her fairly normal scent and The Future should simmer down, this can take like 4-5 days sometimes longer if she is an infrequent washer..

Your other option is to wash The Future but this could backfire since cats can be silly funny about this stuff.

If it did backfire I bet it would be hilarious and YouTubeable.

Just sayin'.

Retox

Junpei wrote: »

They should return to normal after a few days, Gizmo simply smells different right now but after a few days of washing herself she'll be back to her fairly normal scent and The Future should simmer down, this can take like 4-5 days sometimes longer if she is an infrequent washer..

Your other option is to wash The Future but this could backfire since cats can be silly funny about this stuff.

Thanks, I was hoping this was the case. Gizmo still smells pretty much the same (though less) to my weak human nose, but I suppose there are subtleties I'm not picking up. I considered dunking The Future as well to try and even things out, but I didn't want it to get worse. I guess if she doesn't calm down in a week or so I'll toss her in the drink and YouTube the results.

Solved, I guess. Thanks for the advice everyone.

puffycow

What was said above is true. You messed up her smell so it is almost like you introduced a new cat to the home. Did you use cat shampoo when washing?

I never personally had my cats confused after bathing them but it doesn't seem that farfetched.

Magic Pink

My cats do the same thing whenever I take one to the vet. It comes back smelling different and I have to go through the whole re-introduction process again. It's very common.

Ego

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoLtiANGrsI

It doesn't take much to throw cats off

(god I love that video.)

Hotandnerdy

Magic Pink wrote: »

My cats do the same thing whenever I take one to the vet. It comes back smelling different and I have to go through the whole re-introduction process again. It's very common.

Mine do thay too. I always take a blanket to try to get a familure smell. My vet just recently would give them a hit of this catnip spray. Actually helps alot.

ThreeCubed

Everyone pretty much answered your question. I just had to comment on your cat named The Future. That is the best.

Magic Pink

Ego wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoLtiANGrsI

It doesn't take much to throw cats off

(god I love that video.)

Yeah, what the hell is it with cats and hats??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaIg9BYMxWc&list=FLX09HQa2SCPpzNOlfUlwSxg&index=5&feature=plpp_video

I've owned at least one cat my entire time alive and I've never understood the YOU + HAT = SOMETHING NEW THAT WILL EAT ME

Priest

Wash the other cat.

Magic Pink

whoopsy doodle

Aoi Tsuki

Yeah, when we had to get our male cat shaved (he was a recent stray, long-haired, matted all the way down to his skin) and he emerged from the carrier with his new 'do, he looked and smelled different. When he tried to greet his sister, she hissed and whacked him in the face. It did take a few days, as everyone's said.